No Bullet Got Me Yet - by John Stansifer (Hardcover)

About the Book

The incredible story of the most decorated chaplain in US military history and his path to sainthood in the Roman Catholic Church.

Book Synopsis

The incredible story of Father Emil Kapaun, the most decorated chaplain in US military history, who has been declared "Venerable" by Pope Francis and is now a step closer to Sainthood.

Father Emil Kapaun, a humble priest, went far beyond the call of duty during World War II and the Korean War. Often found with the combat medics on the front lines, unarmed, ministering to the wounded, and known for his intense devotion to the soldiers whom he called "my boys," Kapaun became the most decorated chaplain in US military history, awarded a Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross and the Legion of Merit.

But Father Kapaun's leadership, bravery and selflessness don't end there. When the story of human history is over, evil, death, darkness--they don't get the final word. It was Father Kapaun's love for God that gave him the courage to lay down his life for his friends and for his country.

Writer John Stansifer has spent years interviewing veterans and ex-POWs. Coupled with other interviews or self-published war experiences, as well as material from the National Archives and rare access to thousands of unseen documents, No Bullet Got Me Yet unveils the compelling history of the life of Father Kapaun as related by his friends, family and fellow soldiers, as well as in his own words from the numerous letters he wrote from the 1930s all the way to the battlefields of the Korean War.

Review Quotes

"The book is filled with testaments from soldiers who stood with him in battle and in captivity.... His faith cowered even his harshest captors." -The Wall Street Journal

"Father Emil Kapaun's incredible life of faith and sacrifice is explored in depth for the first time in John Stansifer's detailed account of the Catholic chaplain's life, No Bullet Got Me Yet. The strength of Stansifer's research is evident throughout, without being too intrusive. While a must-read for anyone interested in the role of military chaplains and the Korean War, the book will inspire general readers as well."--Jim DeFelice, New York Times bestselling coauthor of American Sniper and Every Man A Hero

"A profile in courage and heroic virtue... Stansifer interjects eyewitness testimony and Kapaun's writings describing his time in combat. Not once, in my reading of this book, did I tire of hearing of Father Kapaun's heroism -- a heroism so consistent that it became ordinary. That's the greatness of Kapaun: He served with heroic virtue, and virtue can only be attained through consistency."--EWTN


"A forgotten hero of a nearly forgotten war receives due honor in these pages."--Kirkus

"Readers will be glad that Stansifer's moving biography brings Kapaun into the foreground, for he was by all accounts a remarkable man... Readers who get to know him through the pages of this fine biography will agree."--Booklist

"Prepare for an extraordinary journey into the heart of courage and selflessness as you delve into the captivating life story of Father Emil Kapaun in John Stansifer's riveting exploration, No Bullet Got Me Yet. Immerse yourself in the profound depths of faith and sacrifice as you uncover the untold tale of this heroic Catholic chaplain, brought to life with meticulous research and unwavering passion. A compelling narrative that transcends time and resonates with both history enthusiasts and general readers alike, this captivating account is a testament to the unyielding spirit of humanity in the face of adversity."--Julia Dye, Ph.D., author of Backbone: History, Traditions, and Leadership Lessons of Marine Corps NCOs

"[A]n amazing story about an amazing man."--Newsmax

"John Stansifer has written a fascinating and inspiring life on Father Emil Kapaun. I could scarcely put it down."--Catholic Insight

"[No Bullet Got Me Yet] tells us a lot about American years sometimes overlooked."--National Catholic Reporter

"John Stansifer has written a modest book about an unheralded man who embodied what it meant to live in the selfless service of others. In a time when American society celebrates showboating athletes, self-aggrandizing social media personalities and embraces inflated celebrity egos it's refreshing to read about such a well lived and purposeful life."--Lawfire, Duke University

"John Stansifer masterfully brings to life what is arguably the U.S. military's most powerful story of the Korea War, if not the entire 20th century. Father Kapaun consistently mirrored Christ throughout his life and underwent his own passion as a prisoner of war. Amid tremendous suffering, he offered hope and reminded his fellow prisoners of their humanity and of the God who sacrificed everything to redeem them. Father Kapaun was also a Soldier's Soldier--he loved the Army, his fellow Soldiers, tough training, and austere living during combat... No Bullet Got Me Yet should be added to reading lists across the military, and Chaplain Kapaun's story should be used as a case study on the Code of Conduct in professional military education classes."--Major Brigid C. Hickman, U.S. Army